Qr Codes: Should Your Brand Be On Board?

QR Codes: Should Your Brand be on Board?
May 10, 2011 By Harrison Painter

First popularized in Japan and South Korea, QR (quick response) codes are beginning to catch traction in the United States. QR codes have been used for a number of applications including artwork, literature, entertainment, and most importantly as a marketing tool. Should your brand adopt QR codes? How can this technology be leveraged for a business? Are QR codes cost effective? Read on to determine whether or not QR codes make sense for your brand.
 
What are QR codes, and how do they work?
Short for “quick response,” QR codes are two dimensional matrix barcodes that can be read or scanned by dedicated QR code scanners and, more importantly, smartphones. These codes were originally used for tracking parts in manufacturing, but have gained popularity as marketing tools in recent years.
QR codes can be used to display text to a user, to compose a text or email message, to link to a URL, to add a contact to a user’s phone, and do display rich media. Smartphone users can install simple applications on their devices that can scan QR codes in order to easily access and interact when information is needed. QR codes are often seen in magazines, on billboards, on business cards, and in a number of other media types.
By using one of the many available QR code generators available on the Internet, you can easily generate a code and choose what to display. Because QR codes are two-dimensional, unlike the one-dimensional barcode, the amount of information displayed can be vastly greater within a QR code. Once you’ve generated your QR code, it can be displayed wherever you choose, and anyone with a camera-enabled smartphone can access the information behind your QR code.
What about cost and ROI?
Our world is altered with new technology almost daily, and the QR code is yet another example. Unfortunately, many of these useful technologies are incredibly expensive, effectively putting them out of reach for a small business. Despite their impressive capabilities, QR codes are actually extremely cost effective. In fact, your brand can generate a custom QR code absolutely free in most cases. A simple online search for “QR code generators” will yield a number of options for your business, and most are completely free.
Another great attribute of the QR code is measurability. Many generators imbed tracking within the QR codes they create, allowing a brand to easily track and measure exactly how many impressions and scans their QR codes are generating. Location is even trackable in some cases. If your company chooses to use a QR code generator that doesn’t offer statistical reports, a simple URL shortener like bit.ly can solve the tracking issue. If you are driving traffic to a specific website, creating a specific, shortened link, and tracking clicks from the scans is simple and free.

I’m sold, but how do I integrate QR codes into my marketing?
QR codes are a wonderfully flexible addition into any marketing plan, as they work properly at virtually any size and in almost any color. The use cases are plentiful, but we offer a few creative ideas below.
Business Cards. Add a QR code to your business card to automatically import your contact information to any smartphone that scans it, or to link directly to your company’s website.
Print Ads. Because they are easily changed to match your brand’s colors, and are a fun and interactive tool, you should add a QR code to your print advertisements to connect readers to your website or to display relevant information to your message.
Contact us page on your site. Embed directions to your locations in a QR code and display the code on the contact page of your website.
Packaging. Adding a QR code to your product packaging allows you to connect a consumer with information that simply won’t fit on your package. Display nutrition information on food products, link to contests and promotions, and show other related products your customers might be interested in.
Point of sale receipts. Few consumers pay any attention to calls to action typed at the bottom of their receipts, but a QR code’s original appearance will stick out like a sore thumb against the text and numbers above it.
QR codes are a creative, innovative, interactive, and measurable addition to any marketing plan. To learn more about generating QR codes, take a look at qrcode.kaywa.com, and browse the App Store or Android Market to find a QR code scanner for your smartphone.
If you would like to learn more about how you can integrate QR codes into your marketing plans, contact me today!
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Harrison Painter